Disclaimer: I don't own PR. That's all.

Author's Note: This story is mostly Nick/Madison driven. I'd love to hear your comments and feedback so please review! Enjoy!

Chapter 1
RAYS OF LIGHT

I'm waiting for answers
I'm waiting to figure it out
I trip on my chances
I slip through my doubt...

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The ground shook, dark smoke filling The Underworld like a white wash of black fire. After a moment had passed, several creatures began to spring up everywhere.

Koragg hid in the shadows as he watched the hole in the ground start to part. "The Master," he whispered in disbelief, "He is free."

The dark figures that stood around seemed to step away slowly as the black fire began to leap from the large hole in the ground. Koragg managed to see the creatures standing around the hole and recognized what they were. Again, hit with another wave of shock and disbelief. Dragons.

Koragg's attention quickly shifted to the large hole that began to close after having The Master climb out. He was in his human form, wearing his armor just as he had always done. His eyes opened slowly, pools of red stared out into the darkness of the Underworld.

He backed away and disappeared into the shadows, no doubt to feed and rejuvenate himself. Koragg turned away to go find Necroli and the others. All of a sudden, the eyes of the Dragons turned towards him at once.

A battle ensued, Koragg finally managed to escape the Underworld, but at a price. In his weakened state, he tried to desperately warn the only person he knew could stop The Master.

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The sun was shinning and Madison looked around at her friends enjoying a beautiful day at the beach. Xander and Chip were wrestling in the sand like they always did. Neither one letting up even though they both had a considerable amount of sand carefully lodged in their swim trunks and just about everywhere else. Vida was sun-bathing on her towel while listening to a mix tape she had put together. Interrupting her now would be a mistake. She made a point of warning everyone before she went into her "zone".

Madison got up and walked to the water's edge and kneeled down. She had a contemplating look in her eyes as she moved her fingers through the water. So much has happened to her since she entered those woods and sometimes she wondered if she made the right decision. The feeling of failure entered her thoughts, which hinted to why she was doubting herself. "I don't want to mess up," she whispered quietly

"Mess up what?" A voice came from beside her. Madison turned and saw Nick's face staring back at her, with questioning eyes. He sat down beside her and glanced over at the ocean when she didn't answer.

Madison sighed, "It's hard sometimes… Being responsible for everyone and I just don't want to do something to mess it all up…" She couldn't bare to look over at him when he didn't reply right away.

Nick looked down and thought for a second, I know exactly what she's talking about and at the moment he decided to share that insecurity with her.

"I have some of those days as well. One wrong move can result in so much loss, but I try not to think about it." He managed to say very calmly. "Things happen for a reason Maddi, and we just need to accept that and roll with whatever fate throws at us."

Madison looked over at Nick and smiled a little, "Some good advice, but it's easier said than done."

It was getting late, and the tide was coming in. A small wave of water poured over Madison's knees. She looked over at the horizon and noticed that it was almost sunset and she glanced over at Vida who had thrown herself into Xander and Chip's wrestling match; completely oblivious to how late it was getting.

"You're not alone Madison," came Nick's voice suddenly. She looked down and closed her eyes briefly before she turned to Nick and said, "Sometimes, I think I forget that."

The wind was picking up and she wrapped her arms around herself without thinking.

Nick grabbed his towel beside him and draped it over her shoulders, "I meant what I said," Nick leaned closer and repeated, "You'll never be alone."

The deep glowing shade of the sun shone acutely off the side of Madison's face, her profile accentuated in shadows and shades of sunlight. Nick couldn't help but stare for a moment before he turned away and looked at the sand beneath him, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Madison lifted her warm, yet very wet, hand and put it on Nick's shoulder and whispered, "Thanks," willing him to turn and look at her again. But he just shook his head in acknowledgement and then got up and left.

Madison stood up as well and started to walk back to Vida and the rest, but she glanced back one last time as the sun started to descend over the horizon. The ocean, stood solid and cold as it swallowed the sun over its horizon. Madison felt connected to this scene playing out in front of her.

"I'm not alone."

Some part of her knew that.

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Nick got home, showered, changed and jumped into bed as quick as he possibly could. He was physically drained from all the running around he did today, even though his main goal of going to the beach was to relax; the only time he managed to do that was when he sat with Madison near the shore. Nick sighed at the thought and closed his eyes. Madison's smile danced across his mind as he remembered how she looked with the light from the sunset bathing her face.

Nick started to dose off as the harsh call rang in his ear, "Red Ranger…"

Nick sat up holding his throbbing head as the words and images started coming at him. After a few moments, his eyes opened slowly as the words sunk in.

"We're in big trouble…" was all he managed to say before he bolted out of bed and out the door.

Rootcore was silent in slumber as Nick ran in, "Udonna! Udonna…" A few moments later, their Mentor appeared, a look of frustration and bemusement in her face as she asked Nick what was wrong.

"The Master, he's free." Nick muttered feeling very out of breath from running all the way to Rootcore. He tried to catch his breath and didn't miss Udonna's eyes flashing a deem white as the horror of what he said sunk in.

"Koragg…he contacted me again. The Master is back and has Dragons working for him. They plan on bringing back the Burning Times..." Nick continued explaining what he saw and heard from Koragg's vision.

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Madison was shocked as she listened to Udonna talk to them about The Master being freed. "He needs to commence a sacrifice of sorts before he is able to acquire the power needed to bring on the Burning Times. This is all very alarming and we must do everything we can to stop this from happening."

Madison needed to sit down for a second, she was getting a little light headed. This was all becoming too much and the fear hit her hard. "People might actually die…" The realization dawned on her truly for the first time since she began this crazy journey in the woods.

"Yes, Madison, this is a life and death situation and we must do everything to protect our worlds from certain destruction." Udonna chimed in with strength and surety pouring from her voice.

"How are we gonna do that?" Vida asked while rubbing her eyes, still apparently very sleepy.

"I must consult the Elders on the Council of Magic before I can know for sure. In the meantime, all of you go home." Udonna said this quickly and then turned to leave Rootcore with a wave of her hand, she disappeared in a burst white light.

"I really hope this is all a bad dream," Xander muttered while he walked out of Rootcore with the others.

Nick just looked at the ground very pensively, angered by his helplessness. "I need to do something now…" He said under his breath.

"You heard Udonna, we can't do anything until she returns," Chip said as he put a comforting arm around Vida, who still looked very tired and confused.

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It was late that evening when Nick finished work and headed home. His mind was troubled from the vision he got from Koragg. What made him more apprehensive was Koragg's apparent desperation that was clearly visible in his voice as he talked about stopping The Master at any cost.

It never occurred to him that maybe there was something out there he couldn't handle. So much was at stake and failing wasn't an option.

Nick mounted his bike and turned back to grab his helmet when he spotted that damned red blanket. An instant flashback to where he first saw it. Wrapped around a baby being carried through the woods

He shook his head briefly as if to throw the memory out of his mind. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't perish the thought and instead, it plagued him. For some reason he felt connected to it in a way he didn't understand.

From the window of the store, he saw Madison wave goodbye and he nodded in acknowledgement. In that brief moment, he almost forgot what he was thinking about. She disappeared from the window and Nick looked at the road ahead. Threw on his helmet and rode off home.

Silently promising himself that he would find a way to get the answers he needed.

Madison wrapped her coat around herself as she locked up the store. She turned and walked on to the pavement where she almost tripped. Steadying herself, she looked up at the sky and noticed the full moon glowing beautifully above her. She shoved her hands into her coat pockets and started walking home, quietly immersed in her own thoughts.

Behind her, she heard the familiar sound of a bike engine roaring up beside her. She smiled instantly and turned to see Nick. "What are you doing here? You left over an hour ago." Madison said in a quiet voice.

Nick put the brakes on his bike and removed his helmet, "I guess I wasn't ready to go home. Needed to clear my head and ride around for a bit."

Madison looked quizzically at him before she asked, "Something on your mind?" She stepped forward and put her hand on the front of his bike tapping her fingers idly.

Nick sighed and leaned back in his bike when he finally said, "Yeah, lots of stuff. But this isn't exactly the best place to play shrink with me." His lips quirked into a grin that made Madison smile somewhat.

"I love the night," Madison blurted out. Looking a little embarrassed she explained, "I mean, I love the peacefulness of it. I like walking home with nothing by my thoughts and the silence all around me." She looked away sheepishly wondering if he thought she was a little weird.

Nick sat up and chuckled, "I guess my noisy bike wasn't as welcoming as I had hoped."

Madison waved her hand and said, "Oh no, it's fine. I'm glad you're here." She smiled in her shy way and stuck her hands back in her pockets.

"I'm just…" Madison trailed of and pointed ahead, "Uh, I'm gonna get going," she managed to say and started to walk off a little as she waved goodbye.

A couple of seconds later she heard Nick's bike roll up beside her again and with him grinning away. "You mind some company?" Madison laughed and shook her head when she saw him take out his spare helmet. "Oh no, I can't. Motorcycles and Me just don't mix well. Ever since Vida talked me into riding on one with her, which then resulted in me ending up in the hospital with a broken nose, and severe bruising all over my body; I've sworn off motorcycles for life." Madison realized she was rambling and burst out laughing.

Nick nodded with a big smile, muttering that he totally understood where she was coming from. Vida was mad crazy with anything she gets her hands on.

Madison's eyes suddenly light up when she remembered something she wanted to tell him, "Hey, guess what? My powers are growing! Check this out."

She held out her right hand and mumbled something under her breath, water sprang out of her hand very lightly. Slowly the water started to heat up and turn into steam. She shot the steam up in the air in a huge blast. Madison looked up at Nick and saw he was really impressed.

"Wow, Maddy that was really cool." Nick leaned in to pat her shoulder, still smiling at what she just did.

Madison suddenly had an idea, and closed her eyes quickly.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Nick asked when he noticed a lot of water spilling out under them. The water turned into steam, the vapor gather together and was strong enough to lift her above the ground. "I'm going home," she said simply and started flying forward with the vapor surrounding her feet and keeping her elevated. Madison turned around to watch Nick and his shocked expression.

"I'll race you?" Nick suddenly said with a grin on his face.

"You're on!" Madison quickly turned around and threw her arms back and pushed forward at a speed she wasn't expecting. A small squeal escaped her lips as she flew through the night air.

"Cheater!" Nick yelled as he turned his bike on and roared down the street.

By the time Nick reached the Rocca family home, Madison was leaning against the mailbox yawning.

"You sure that bike is working right?" She teased.

"Yeah, laugh all you want. I didn't use magical powers and still need a head start like you did." Nick threw back as he hit the brakes on his bike.

Madison had a big grin on her face and said, "Anyway, you better get home. It's really late now."

Nick looked around and nodded.

"Hey, this was fun," he mumbled before his helmet went over his head and snapped into place.

Madison smiled, "Yeah it was. A shame it's so late, because I bet I could race you all the way back to Rootcore and beat you again." She joked.

Madison looked at Nick and they both stared at each other for a few seconds before they both had grins on their faces.

Next thing you know, Nick and Madison shot down the street towards Rootcore.

Once they got to the entrance of the woods, Nick jumped off his bike and went the rest of the way on foot. Madison slowed down and flew just over him laughing at how tired he looked.

"I can slow down even more if you want," she giggled and sped off when he didn't reply.

Rootcore was normally silent in slumber at this time of night, but for some reason it wasn't today. Madison entered the wooden chamber and was surprised to see the Xenotome open to a page detailing the "Signs of the Chosen Ones".

Nick ran in, completely out of breath, as Madison started reading the rest of what was written in the Xenotome. He looked over at Madison and noticed the worried expression on her face.

"What's wrong?"

He came up beside her and read over her shoulder. "Nick, The Master is looking for these people to sacrifice..." She said this with shock as she turned the page to see the faces of the 4 chosen ones.

One of them being Vida.

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I can see it your eyes you're hurting
But pain is part of learning who you are
All these truths can sometimes be deceiving
When your whole world comes crashing to the ground